The NBA playoff injury report looks like an All-Star Game lineup

Jimmy Butler, SF — (8) Miami Heat

Butler suffered an MCL sprain in his right knee late in the first quarter of the Heat's play-in loss to the Sixers on Wednesday. While Butler was able to play the rest of the game, an MRI on Thursday revealed a significant sprain that often takes up to four weeks to heal. His teammates rallied for a comfortable victory on Friday over the Bulls in a win-or-go-home play-in game for the second year in a row. Yet Butler looks to be unavailable for their opening-round series against the first-seeded Celtics. And even if the Heat can pull off a stunning upset of the NBA's best regular season team, it's uncertain whether he would be available in the next round.  

Prognosis: Out for up to four weeks

Joel Embiid, C — (7) Philadelphia 76ers

Embiid had surgery on Feb. 6 to repair the lateral meniscus in his left knee that was injured when the Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga inadvertently fell on him during the fourth quarter of a Sixers loss on Jan. 30. He returned after two months off to play in five of the Sixers' final six games, including 38 minutes in their play-in game against the Heat on Wednesday. However, his status for Game 1 of the playoff series against the second-seeded Knicks is still questionable.

Prognosis: Available for the playoffs while still not fully healed

Anthony Davis, PF/C — (7) Los Angeles Lakers

Davis had one of the healthiest seasons of his career, setting a career-high for games played (76) in his 12-year NBA career. His run of good health hit a setback late in the fourth quarter of the Lakers' final regular-season game when he left the game with back and hip spasms after injuring himself attempting a putback layup.  While Davis played in the Lakers' Wednesday play-in game against the Pelicans, he seemed less than 100%, shooting 6 for 16 from the floor and allowing Zion Williamson to go off for 40 points (before he, too, was injured).  

Prognosis: Available for round one against the second-seeded Nuggets

Kawhi Leonard, SF — (4) Los Angeles Clippers

Despite continuing to play through pain and swelling in the same right knee injured to cut short his 2021 and 2023 playoff campaigns, Leonard played in the third most games (68) of his 13-year career. Unfortunately, most of the games he missed (8) came during the last weeks of the season, and he hasn't suited up since a March 31 win over the Charlotte Hornets. After receiving an injection to reduce lingering swelling in his right knee at the beginning of the month, there is optimism that he can play in game one against the fifth-seeded Mavericks on Sunday.  

Prognosis: Listed as questionable for Game 1, but the Clippers are "hopeful" he will be ready

Zion Williamson, PF — New Orleans Pelicans

Zion had a career-best season for games played (70) and has yet to miss consecutive games for the Pelicans. Unfortunately, this streak will end during Game 1 of the Pelicans' matchup against the first-seeded Thunder on Sunday after Zion injured his left hamstring in the final minutes against the Lakers in the play-in game on Wednesday. He missed Friday's play-in win over the Kings and will likely be out for weeks, putting his availability for the entire first round and beyond in doubt.

Prognosis: Will be reevaluated in two weeks, likely out for the first round